Description
A parent’s passionate plea to his children not to risk their lives on a dangerous journey to the Antipodes in a foolish and futile search for gold. Complete with a dispassionate evaluation of the arguments as advanced by Obadiah Entwistle.
The Dangerous Contents.
Letter from Obadiah Entwistle to his children, Daniel, Walter and Sarah.
- The Journey to Australia.
‘Have you any idea how far it is to Australia?’
- The road to the Diggings.
‘You could be attacked by an ostrich or a kangaroo in that weird land.’3. What do you know about Mining?
‘The bucket will fall on your head!’
4. The Diggers.
‘Virtually all men, and a wild bunch of ruffians at that.’
5. The Diggeresses.
‘The goldfields are no place for a lady.’
6. Little Diggers.
‘Is Yackandandah a suitable place to bring up children?’
7. Defusing Dangerous, Digger, Disputes.
‘We warn you to keep right away from the Tipperary mob.’
8. A Dangerous Chartist and Democrat.
‘You will get into trouble with the government.’
9. Unforeseeable, Unbelievable and Unexpected Dangers.
‘Your mother dreamt you were all injured by a stampeding elephant!’
10. When the Gold runs out.
‘With no family or friends in the Antipodes who will look after you.’
Epilogue. Why British Diggers became Australian Settlers.
